2003 BMW 320i towing

Contents

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures114
Driving notes115
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)115
Brake system116

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure117
Tire condition117
Tire replacement118
Wheel and tire
combinations120
Winter tires120

In the engine compartment:

Hood122
Engine compartment
essentials124
Washer fluids126
Engine oil126
Coolant128
Brake fluid129

Maintenance:

The BMW Maintenance
System130

Laws and regulations:

California Proposition 65
warning131
OBD interface socket131

Owner service procedures

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit136
Windshield wiper blades136
Lamps and bulbs137
Changing a wheel141
Run Flat tires*145
Battery146
Fuses146

Giving and receiving
assistance:

Jump-starting147
Towing the vehicle148

Technical data

Engine data152
Dimensions153
Weights154
Capacities155

66
Available displaysP R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to P. Set the
parking brake and turn the engine off –
ignition key to position 0.
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. You may
continue to drive as usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
you can place the selector lever in all
positions. However, the vehicle will now
only operate in 3rd and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest autho-
rized BMW center.
Never work in the engine com-
partment when a drive gear – for-
ward or reverse – is engaged. If you do
this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the
information beginning on page 147.
Automatic transmission with Steptronic*

109
Stowing cargo>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible – directly behind the back-
rests or the luggage compartment
partition – and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the
top edge of the backrest
>For transporting very heavy loads
when the rear seat is not occupied,
secure the outer safety belts in the
opposite buckles, refer to the illustra-
tion.
Securing cargo>For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined, non-skid side of the floor mat
or secure using the luggage compart-
ment net* or elastic straps, refer to
page 37
>For large, heavy pieces, see your
BMW center for load-securing
devices*. Lashing fittings located in
the luggage compartment can be
used for fastening the load-securing
devices; see arrow.
Read and comply with the instructions
enclosed with the load-securing
devices.
Cargo loading
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

148
Do not use spray starter fluids to
start the engine.<
Towing the vehicleTowing eyeletThe screw-in towing eyelet is stored in
the onboard tool kit; be sure that it
remains in the vehicle at all times. It is
designed for installation in the tow
sockets located at the front and rear of
the vehicle, and is intended for towing
on paved road surfaces only. The tow-
ing eyelet should not be used to pull a
vehicle out of deep snow, mud, sand,
etc.
Always comply with all applicable tow-
ing laws and regulations.
Access to tow socketsFront:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver inserted in the recess at the top.
Jump-starting

149
Rear:
Press out the cover panel with a screw-
driver inserted in the recess at the top.
Make sure the towing eyelet is
firmly screwed all the way in, oth-
erwise the thread could be damaged.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, possibly lead-
ing to accidents.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use wheel-lift or flatbed equipment
>Please comply with applicable state
towing laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, possibly lead-
ing to accidents. vehicle with one axle raised 1. Place the transmission in Neutral
2. Switch off the engine
3. Maximum towing speed:
30 mph / 50 km/h
4. Maximum towing distance:
95 miles/150 km.
Remove the rear driveshaft for
longer towing distances with the
front axle lifted; remove the front drive-
shaft for towing over longer distances
with the rear axle lifted. Failure to com-
ply with this will result in damage to the
transfer box.<
Towing the vehicle
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z
159
Clock 74
setting, refer also to the
radio or onboard com-
puter Owner's Manual
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Coin box 102
Compartments 102
Compression ratio 152
Computer 75
Condensation, removing
from windows 95, 98
Consumption 76
display 72
Coolant 128, 155
Cooling system 155
Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 18, 115
Cruise control 69
Cup holder, see Beverage
holder 102
Curb weight 154
Cushion height 153
D
Data
dimensions 153
engine 152
technical 152
weights 154Daytime driving lamps 89
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control 115
Defrost position 95, 98
Defrosting
rear window 94, 99
windows 95, 98
Digital clock 74
Dimensions 153
Dipstick, engine oil 126
Displacement 152
Display lighting 90
Displays 16
Distance warning 77
Divided rear backrest 106
Door key 30
Door lock buttons 34
Doors
emergency operation 33
unlocking and locking 31
Driving notes 115
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 18, 19, 80
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control 80
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 115
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 18, 19, 80
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC) 80E
Electric power windows 40
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 146
Electrical malfunction
fuel filler door 24
sliding/tilt sunroof 43
Emergency operation
doors 33
fuel filler door 24
sliding/tilt sunroof 43
Emergency release
luggage compartment
lid 37
Emissions, minimum, refer
to Energy control 71
Energy control 71
Engine
starting 60
switching off 62
Engine compartment 124
Engine coolant 155
adding 128
temperature gauge 72
Engine data 152Engine oil
adding 126
capacity 155
consumption 126
pressure 18
quality 127
types 127
viscosity 127
Engine oil level 19
check 126
Engine speed 152
Environmentally-friendly
driving, refer to Energy
control 71
Exterior mirrors 51
Eyelet, towing 148
F
Failure messages 73
False alarm, avoiding 39
Fault displays 73
First-aid kit 23
Flashlight 102
Flat tire 117, 141
Flat Tire Monitor 86
Fog lamps 91
Folding rear backrest 106
Follow me home lamps 89
Front fog lamps 91
Front seat adjustment 44
Frost protection
radiator 128
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to ZSliding/tilt sunroof 41
closing following an elec-
trical malfunction 43
convenience operation 31
remote control 32
Snow chains 121
Socket 104
Spare key 30
Spare tire 141
Speedometer 16
Sports seat 45
Standing lamps 90
Starting problems 60
Starting the engine 60
Steering wheel lock 60
Steering wheel with multi-
function buttons 22
Steering wheel, adjusting 51
Steptronic 64
Storage compartments 102
Storage, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Stroke 152
Switching off the engine 62
Symbols 4
Synthetic oils 127
T
Tachometer 16, 71
Tail lamps
replacing bulb 139
Tank capacity 155Technical data 152
Technical modifications 5
Telephone hookup 104
Telephone, refer to the sep-
arate Owner's Manual
Temperature adjustment
94, 98
Temperature display
engine coolant 72
outside temperature 75
Temperature layering 95, 99
Thigh support area, adjust-
ing 45
Third brake lamp 140
Through-loading system 106
Tilt alarm sensor
switching off 39
Time 74
Tire damage 117
Tire inflation pressure
25, 117
Tire Pressure Monitor
(TPM) 85
Tire replacement 118
Tire tread 117
Tools 136
Torque 152
Towing eyelet 148
Towing the vehicle 148
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor 85
Track 153Transmission 63
Transporting children
safely 55
Tread depth, tires 117
Tread wear indicator 117
Trigger alarm – Panic
mode 32
Trip odometer 71
Trunk 35
capacity 154
Trunk lid, see Luggage com-
partment lid 35
Turn signal indicator 21, 67
replacing bulb 138
Turning circle 153
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading 119
V
Vacuum cleaner, connect-
ing 104
Vehicle
break-in procedures 114
starting 62
switching off 62
Vehicle Memory 59
Vehicle storage, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Vehicle weight 154Ventilation 92, 96
draft-free 95, 99
Viscosity 127
Voice Control System, refer
to the separate Owner's
Manual
Voice recognition 22
W
Warning lamp "Please fasten
safety belts" 19
Warning lamps 18
Warning messages 73
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet 130
Warranty, refer also to sepa-
rate booklet 6
Washer fluid
refilling 126, 155
Washer reservoir
filling 126, 155
Washer/wiper system 68
Water on roads
deep water 115
Wear indicator for tires 117
Weights 154
Wheel, changing 141
Wheelbase 153
Wheels and tires 120
Wheelslip control, see
DSC 80
Width 153